Human cadaveric dissection: a historical account from ancient Greece to the modern era

Abstract

The review article attempts to focus on the practice of human cadaveric dissection during its inception in ancient Greece in 3rd century BC, revival in medieval Italy at the beginning of 14th century and subsequent evolution in Europe and the United States of America over the centuries. The article highlights on the gradual change in attitude of religious authorities towards human dissection, the shift in the practice of human dissection being performed by barber surgeons to the anatomist himself dissecting the human body and the enactment of prominent legislations which proved to be crucial milestones during the course of the history of human cadaveric dissection. It particularly emphasizes on the different means of procuring human bodies which changed over the centuries in accordance with the increasing demand due to the rise in popularity of human dissection as a tool for teaching anatomy. Finally, it documents the rise of body donation programs as the source of human cadavers for anatomical dissection from the second half of the 20th century. Presently innovative measures are being introduced within the body donation programs by medical schools across the world to sensitize medical students such that they maintain a respectful, compassionate and empathetic attitude towards the human cadaver while dissecting the same. Human dissection is indispensable for a sound knowledge in anatomy which can ensure safe as well as efficient clinical practice and the human dissection lab could possibly be the ideal place to cultivate humanistic qualities among future physicians in the 21st century.

Anonymous body or first patient? A status report and needs assessment regarding the personalization of donors in dissection courses in German, Austrian, and Swiss Medical Schools

“…Despite substantial restructuring in medical curricula over the past few decades, human body dissection has remained a central teaching method in anatomical education (Ghosh, ). It is equally appreciated by both anatomy departments and students (Patel and Moxham, ; Kerby et al, ).…”

The Science of Anatomy: A historical timeline

“…36 Up until the recent past, there was mass hostility towards anyone who carried out dissection practices and it was very difficult to secure cadavers for this purpose. 30 However, with the increasing number of medical schools came an escalating demand for bodies and 'body-snatching' became increasingly common. Unless legislation was made to regulate the donation of bodies for medical and educational purposes, the authorities anticipated that such demands would soon implicitly encourage murder in order for doctors and medical students to obtain the bodies necessary for their research.…”

“…Unless legislation was made to regulate the donation of bodies for medical and educational purposes, the authorities anticipated that such demands would soon implicitly encourage murder in order for doctors and medical students to obtain the bodies necessary for their research. 30,37 At the turn of the twentieth century, Abraham Flexner wrote his famous report on medical education and the importance of the basic medical sciences. 38 This highlighted anatomy as an essential science for basic medical training.…”

“…In certain cultures, bequeathal programmes have been founded to regulate body donations to medical schools. 30,41 Full bodies, body parts and specific organs are maintained using preservation techniques including plastination and advanced digital imagery, all of which aim to ensure an adequate provision of material for medical students. 42 …”

“…As the dissection of human bodies was forbidden, ancient Roman anatomists had to rely primarily on animal dissections to further their knowledge. 16,17 They were therefore limited in what they could learn about human anatomy. Galen was an experimentalist and investigator who was born in the Greek city Pergamon but later travelled to Rome in pursuit of knowledge, where he became a successful practicing physician.…”